Schutzhund sport

            At the beginning of XX century in Germany people dedicated to the German Shepherd dog developed training and testing program for working dogs to explore their working abilities. From that initial training and testing schutzhund sport was formed.

            In the schutzhund sport  the dogs and handlers work as a team to achieve different level of  advancement which are earned as schutzhund titles: BH, AD, Sch 1, Sch 2, Sch 3, IPO 1, IPO2, IPO3, FH 1 and FH 2. To earn official certificates dog/handler team participate in trials at club, regional and national levels where their performance is evaluated by a certified judge (Canadian, US and SV).

Schutzhund titles:

1. B      BH - companion dog  test is a preliminary and prerequisite test for all dogs entering schutzhund sport. It is a combination of temperament and obedience tests. During the       temperament test dogs are exposed to street traffic, crowding and noise to test their responses. Dogs that do not pass BH test are excluded from schutzhund sport.

2. A      AD  - endurance test is a 20 km run with a handler that has to be completed in 2 h. Dog’s and handler’s ability to handle physical strain is evaluated.

3. Sc    SchH 1, 2, 3 and IPO (International Police Dog degrees for service handlers) 1,2 3. Each level consists of the following:

A. Tracking: After a 20 to 60 minute time lapse dog must retrace a 400-600 meters long path left by a person. The path has 2-4 turns and the dog has to find 2-3 lost articles.

B. Obedience: The dog and a handler follow a pattern exercise which includes heeling both on and off leash, jumps, retrieval, retrieval over a 6 foot wall, and send away.

C. Protection: It is a series of exercises during which a dog must respond to a critical situations in a proper way and must show courage in stressful situation.

4. FH    FH1 and FH2 - advanced tracking dog titles. The track is 1.2 - 1.6 km long and spreads over a different type of a terrain. It is aged 2 to 3 hours. The dog has to indicated 6-7 articles and finish tracking routine within 20 to 40 minutes.         

              Hiking day - It is a 10 kilometer walk and fun activity for all club members.

Sport of schutzhund is a demanding activity. Training is under control and guidance of training director. Training of a dog starts in puppy hood. Puppies are socialized, taken for a walk, learn basic level of obedience and tracking. After passing BH the dogs and handlers enter higher level of training which leads to earning Sch titles.

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